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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5 rounding down
The beginning of this book seemed... Uneventful. The stage should have been sent a lot better about the previous time that they were in Vegas. I feel like the momentum of getting together was Not a big deal. I also did not like that Gael knew Jordan pined after him but never went for it. I know friends to lovers or second chance can't take up all the time of their history, but here I felt No connection or care to feel they needed to be with each other.
The accident was the best part of the book. Otherwise I was left feeling like Nothing Happened. That drama was good.
I didn't care what Elena had to say and don't think she had a place in the story. There was nothing she said thatade the story better or more dynamic. That was a bit off putting.
The ending was good enough. The steam didn't seem to have enough anticipation like ok we went for it and we are good the end.
It wasn't unenjoyable but pacing was rough and there were a few things that my mind snagged on. I like Valentine and will be reading more despite this one not quite coming together for me.
The beginning of this book seemed... Uneventful. The stage should have been sent a lot better about the previous time that they were in Vegas. I feel like the momentum of getting together was Not a big deal. I also did not like that Gael knew Jordan pined after him but never went for it. I know friends to lovers or second chance can't take up all the time of their history, but here I felt No connection or care to feel they needed to be with each other.
The accident was the best part of the book. Otherwise I was left feeling like Nothing Happened. That drama was good.
I didn't care what Elena had to say and don't think she had a place in the story. There was nothing she said thatade the story better or more dynamic. That was a bit off putting.
The ending was good enough. The steam didn't seem to have enough anticipation like ok we went for it and we are good the end.
It wasn't unenjoyable but pacing was rough and there were a few things that my mind snagged on. I like Valentine and will be reading more despite this one not quite coming together for me.
emotional
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well this book certainly lives up to its title.
I think I must have read this whole book with tears in my eyes. There wasn’t a single moment where my hand wasn’t clutched to my chest as I physically ached for the characters. This really was a love story for the ages.
Marley Valentine just has this way of drawing you in. Her books are like a Venus fly trap. I became consumed by this story. I was unable to think about anything else while I was reading ‘Ache’ and when I WASN’T reading it I was WISHING that I was reading it.
Every page was filled with so much love, and heartbreak, and joy, and sorrow, and passion. You just ROOT for the characters to succeed, no matter how many times they’re knocked down.
Finishing this book has you feeling like you’ve just gone twelve rounds in the ring with someone bigger and scarier than you, and still won. You feel wrung out, yet elated. Every ounce of pain I felt reading this was justified in the end.
Heart breaking and breathtaking.
P.S. I also loved the cameos from characters from ‘Without You’.
I think I must have read this whole book with tears in my eyes. There wasn’t a single moment where my hand wasn’t clutched to my chest as I physically ached for the characters. This really was a love story for the ages.
Marley Valentine just has this way of drawing you in. Her books are like a Venus fly trap. I became consumed by this story. I was unable to think about anything else while I was reading ‘Ache’ and when I WASN’T reading it I was WISHING that I was reading it.
Every page was filled with so much love, and heartbreak, and joy, and sorrow, and passion. You just ROOT for the characters to succeed, no matter how many times they’re knocked down.
Finishing this book has you feeling like you’ve just gone twelve rounds in the ring with someone bigger and scarier than you, and still won. You feel wrung out, yet elated. Every ounce of pain I felt reading this was justified in the end.
Heart breaking and breathtaking.
P.S. I also loved the cameos from characters from ‘Without You’.
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This didn't go as I expected.
The story and characters were all well written, I love friends to lovers, and supportive families, it was a joy to read.
I felt sorry for both Jordan and Gael, so many years of being stubborn and silly. But I also didn't like them at the same time. I mean 10 fucking years and you don't speak knowing you love one another, or at least you can see it, and let it fester between you, drag other people in your lives and break them as well. They were both so selfless and selfish at the same time. They were complicated characters which is why I can't hate them completely because they are realistic in many ways too.
How it happened was a disappointment for me, I can understand how it feels to be finally free of the restraints and fall into each other and lust. But that was just so selfish, not being able to hold themselves for a few days to be together in a more respectful way to each other and Elena.
Both Jordan and Gael were assholes to her and to each other. On top of everything they made each other cheaters, but the good thing was they felt the weight of it even in their happy ending. Because that's how it really goes in real world, you get consequences and scars on your concious.
I was surprised to see Elena had her own episodes. I am also conflicted with how I feel about it. I don't really like to read especially a third party in a relationship but I was also kinda rooting for Elena to kick them both in the ass for being hypocrites for so long.
She was so human. He was aware of everything but also desperate for a family and peace so she stayed. It was heartbreaking to see her going through.
Even it was so raw and real sometimes, in other times it was hard to believe. Like how on earth, 10 fucking years... And family's response, he was about marry another woman whom they all loved, accepted and made a part of family, but then they could easily kick her to the curb because he is with his best friend now. Obviously they are supposed to be supportive to their child first by default. But still, especially the Mom's reaction. I mean wtf... Why has nobody said anything to Gael while he was planning to the wedding for months?
I have mixed feelings for this book, the writing is excellent as always from Marley Valentine, there are some quotes that are so raw and deep. However the plot and MCs, I have mixed feelings. ☹️
The best part of book is to see Julian and Deacon together, and glimpses of Frankie before his book.
The story and characters were all well written, I love friends to lovers, and supportive families, it was a joy to read.
I felt sorry for both Jordan and Gael, so many years of being stubborn and silly. But I also didn't like them at the same time. I mean 10 fucking years and you don't speak knowing you love one another, or at least you can see it, and let it fester between you, drag other people in your lives and break them as well. They were both so selfless and selfish at the same time. They were complicated characters which is why I can't hate them completely because they are realistic in many ways too.
How it happened was a disappointment for me, I can understand how it feels to be finally free of the restraints and fall into each other and lust. But that was just so selfish, not being able to hold themselves for a few days to be together in a more respectful way to each other and Elena.
Both Jordan and Gael were assholes to her and to each other. On top of everything they made each other cheaters, but the good thing was they felt the weight of it even in their happy ending. Because that's how it really goes in real world, you get consequences and scars on your concious.
I was surprised to see Elena had her own episodes. I am also conflicted with how I feel about it. I don't really like to read especially a third party in a relationship but I was also kinda rooting for Elena to kick them both in the ass for being hypocrites for so long.
She was so human. He was aware of everything but also desperate for a family and peace so she stayed. It was heartbreaking to see her going through.
Even it was so raw and real sometimes, in other times it was hard to believe. Like how on earth, 10 fucking years... And family's response, he was about marry another woman whom they all loved, accepted and made a part of family, but then they could easily kick her to the curb because he is with his best friend now. Obviously they are supposed to be supportive to their child first by default. But still, especially the Mom's reaction. I mean wtf... Why has nobody said anything to Gael while he was planning to the wedding for months?
I have mixed feelings for this book, the writing is excellent as always from Marley Valentine, there are some quotes that are so raw and deep. However the plot and MCs, I have mixed feelings. ☹️
The best part of book is to see Julian and Deacon together, and glimpses of Frankie before his book.
I remember falling absolutely head over heels for WITHOUT YOU when I read it and Marley Valentine delivered with ACHE. I just think that I am coming off of a HUGE book hangover from the last book I read.
This felt way too fast. I know, technically, there was a lot of waiting for Jordan and Gael, but we didn’t get to see that. There was definitely some angst throughout the book, but I wanted my heart ripped to shreds.
Other than that, Marley is such an incredible writer. Her stories and worlds and characters always suck me in. And this was no different.
This felt way too fast. I know, technically, there was a lot of waiting for Jordan and Gael, but we didn’t get to see that. There was definitely some angst throughout the book, but I wanted my heart ripped to shreds.
Other than that, Marley is such an incredible writer. Her stories and worlds and characters always suck me in. And this was no different.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes